The Secret to Living Long / Arrange furniture, use rugs to make narrow space work

Barry Johnson

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, July 12, 2000

Q: Our living room is 23 feet long by 12 feet wide. Immediately upon opening the front door, you are in the living room; there is no entry hall. A fireplace (which extends into the room) is located in the center of one wall and is flanked by French doors and small bookcases. The living room opens into the kitchen, which is visible as soon as you walk in. There is a 56-by-72-inch window next to the front door.

The room is light peach. The ceiling is a darker peach and is separated from the walls by a stucco molding about 10 inches wide. The French doors and window frames are sea foam green with white trim.

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I would like to redecorate and refurnish the room and utilize what little space we have to the fullest.

Jenny Schaffell Kensington

A: I usually like to flank the center fireplace with two sofas that "float" in the room. In your situation, the 12-foot width is too narrow to float two sofas and have enough room for more good seating.

I say go with the length of the room and place a new 8-foot-long sofa against the wall facing the fireplace. We are seeing a trend back to the long sofas of the '60s at 8, 9 and 10 feet. This length uses the length of the room and is optimal for watching television.

I always think in terms of entertaining a large number of guests. In front of the fireplace, consider purchasing a bench for two guests to use. Replace the standard coffee table with two smart chow tables. These 18-by-18-inch tables will not block the traffic flow and can be moved around the room as needed.

The most important advice I would give you is to use a large 10- by-14-foot area rug in place of your many small carpets. The larger the rug, the larger the room feels. With the peach color scheme in place, I would anchor the room with a contrasting and practical medium green carpet or Persian design as the budget permits. Use one of your small Oriental throw rugs at the front door.

Use your entry table and mirror just inside the front door. To the left of the door, use a drop-leaf game table about 36 by 18 inches closed and 36 by 36 inches open. Small armless side chairs will do nicely on either side.

At the end of the sofa closer to the front door use a small rattan or wood frame occasional chair, one that can move around easily.

Keep your black leather chair -- I always like some black in a room. Also keep the green overstuffed chair and use it at the other end of the new sofa. I would put a neutral cream, beige or taupe on the sofa to break the peach and green.

At the far end of the room, on the sofa wall next to the kitchen, consider a tall secretary desk. Every room needs at least one tall piece of furniture, and this one would be functional as well.

On the right side of the fireplace, put an entertainment cabinet with retractable doors and a pullout swivel for the television. Place an interesting plant to the right of the window. The green of the plant also would help cut some of the peach in the room. Forget using the standard ficus and use a palm or bamboo.

If you balance the light in the room with a combination of recessed light, floor lamps and table lamps you will give the room the feeling of greater space. I could see a large Asian screen over the long sofa. I love the look of a 10-by-4-foot screen going beyond the length of the sofa.

Accents of color in your new space can serve to update and add punch. Use beautiful bright pumpkin tones, bright yellow-green, celadon and a touch of black to liven up the peach. Enjoy your new space!

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